Establishing an Alaskan birch syrup industry: Birch Syrup—It’s the Un-maple!^TM

Abstract

Ten years ago a small group of Alaskans began commercial production of birch syrup from the sap of the paper birch, Betula papyrifera, and established an industry that is expanding in response to demand and has the potential to make a significant contribution to Alaska's economy. There are still many problems to be solved; research and development have taken a backseat to production in efforts to keep up with the overwhelming response to birch syrup and related products. However, as the industry matures and as the Alaska Birch Syrupmakers Association becomes more effective, solutions to these problems will follow.

Parent Publication

• Forest communities in the third millennium: linking research, business, and policy toward a sustainable non-timber forest product sector.

Citation

Cameron, Marlene. 2001. Establishing an Alaskan birch syrup industry: Birch Syrup—It’s the Un-maple!^TM. In: Davidson-Hunt, Iain; Duchesne, Luc C.; Zasada, John C., eds. Forest communities in the third millennium: linking research, business, and policy toward a sustainable non-timber forest product sector, proceedings of the meeting; 1999 October 1-4; Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-217. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 135-139.